He adds that these themes pertain to superstition, religion, human foibles and censorship, which the author had faced himself. But despite these being serious issues, Sharma says that Twain offers humour as a kind of antidote that keeps our feet grounded, adding, “And the best thing about him was that he wasn’t averse to making fun of himself.”

In the end, thus, the American comes across as not only a brilliant writer, but also as someone who tried his best to be objective. He was an out-and-out humanist. Sharma — who will also stage two other plays, Pieces and Yahan, in Mumbai over the weekend — reveals that there is only a 30-second video clip available of Twain, which he studied to copy the author’s movements. Otherwise, he had to rely on photographs to understand his gestures, and read writings that aren’t a part of the script to get into the character’s skin. The thespian concludes, “The audience will be left with food for thought after exiting the auditorium. And they will also realise the difference between the vintage wit of a master humorist and the juvenile humour that the world thrives on today.”

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Crowing about India

An example of Mark Twain’s observations on India stems from the impression he had of the crow, which he considered to be a bird that’s completely immune to any sense of guilt. It does not know what care, sorrow or remorse is, and will thus go on to its deathbed untroubled. And in writing this, Twain also pointed out how sin will disappear from the world only in the mind of those immersed in it, alluding to his childhood in Mississippi, where plantation owners felt no guilt in mistreating their slaves.

On November 24, 8 pm AT Prithvi Theatre, Juhu Church Lane, Juhu.

Log on to bookmyshow.com

Cost Rs 400

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